Ela no cease fire
No ceasefire in Sri Lanka - Military / Karuna-Nidhi... Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara speaking to the Daily Mirror ascertained that the government has not declared a ceasefire. He clarified that only the use of heavy weapons and combat aircraft will be halted. His comment came after some International Media claimed that Sri Lanka has declared a ceasefire with the LTTE.
Further the Defence Ministry in a statement on its web site called the misinterpretation a 'Media illusionists' twist of the government statement.
The ministry statement read;
Sri Lankan security forces will continue with the humanitarian operations to rescue the remaining 15,000 -20,000 people held hostage by LTTE while avoiding the use of heavy caliber weaponary as a strict measure coinciding with its 'Zero civilian casualty policy (ZCC)', a defence official stated refuting some immediate media jargons made misinterpreting the government declaration as a 'cession of hostilities' cum 'ceasefire'.
"This is a crude and an unethical way of media 'reportash', a blatant twist of the original statement, perpetrated to motivate the hell-bent terrorist sympathizers cum political clouts" the official said describing the logic behind the Government decision an exhibit of its grave concern to avoid any form of collateral-damage while surging into the remaining 10sq.km swathe of coast, South of Valayarmadam and Vellamullivaikkal.
"This is the same and an extension of what the security forces have been continuing since the fall of Mullaittivu, as terrorists resorted to taking thousands of civilians as hostage", the official said.
"Security forces are now reaching victory, 'combat mission reaching its conclusion' and in no form will leave a breather for the internationally banned terrorist outfit or its leaders who are much wanted for thousands of war crimes and crimes against humanity" the official said.
Further commenting on the government decision the official said, this decision was no reaction to any 'international pressure' but solely timed with the success of the ongoing 'Worlds largest hostage rescue operation'.
The Government statement;
“Government of Sri Lanka has decided that combat operations have reached their conclusion. Our security forces have been instructed to end the use of heavy caliber guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian casualties.
Our security forces will confine their attempts to rescuing civilians who are held hostage and give foremost priority to saving civilians”.
